Is it just me or is this gentleman very skilled at explaining things in a clear, concise manner? Not just RV enthusiasts, but UA-camrs the world over would benefit from watching this video. I tip my hat to you, sir
Thank you so much! I've been looking for a simple explanation of electrical systems like this for ages and people always make it so freakin' complicated. This is the first and only time I've ever seen this topic explained in simple and easy-to-follow terms. Now if only I can find something this well-crafted to help me understand my solar panels and battery bank...
I wish I’d had you teaching me electronic principles in tech school back in 82 at Chanute AFB. Your explanation was a lot simpler that the MSgt I had. LOL GREAT VIDEO!
This explains so incredibly much but so incredibly simple. I've known a lot of this stuff all my life but never tied it together like this until just now. Awesome.
This is why we utilize the 110 plugs on the box by running extension cords under the camper to run a coffee maker outside, outdoor lights, and sometimes the tv outside or charging phones. This helps us run the 15k a/c, 2 refrigerators, electric water heater, etc and not worry about tripping our 30amp. Some day, I may add a 2nd a/c unit and adapt it to use the 110.
Something that can really help out also if you need more amps is plug the refrigerator directly into the 15 amp outlet but use a thick extension cord. The refrigerator is often overlooked and consumes quite a bit of electricity because it is an electric element unless utilizing the LP mode
Thank you very much for making this excellent and well informative video!! You answered everything I needed to know about why my circuit breakers keep tripping. It looks like my home stereo system in my RV has to go. My neighbors will thank you also.
Very good video Mark. I would bet a lot of conscientious RV owners would love to have a more indepth dvd of how to calculate loads, what they can do to fix something and when to call a qualified RV electrician .
Beautiful :-)) so crystal clear . I've tried to read a lot of books about Electricals . This is the first time I understood it ...Lol..... thank you sir :-))
Wow, I did not know all that. I thought a 50AMP RV was a 240V system and that the electrical box in the RV "stepped it down" to 120V for the stuff in the coach. Really, it is not 240V, it is two 120V systems. Really, it is not 50 AMP, it is 100 AMP, just 50 AMP per leg. I do not know when that will be useful knowledge, but I am still sure glad I know it now! My coach is small, and is a 30AMP, but now I understand how that works. Thanks! Very informative.
You will get a reading of 240 volts if you measure across the two hot legs at the receptacle, but it is two separate 50 amp 120 volt hot legs that power the RV.
This was an excellent tutorial and was easy for me to understand. It's extremely helpful as my wife and I get ready to embark on our maiden RV voyage. Thanks
Well done. It's easy to see how you can overload the circuits with only 30 amps when they count on you not maximizing it. I would prefer some kind of automatic warnings. Most likely some RV manufacturers play the electrical closer to the wire, literally.
Great video, very informative. Saw a similar video on YT a few years ago and had my RV's electrical service upgraded to 50 amps and had a few more electrical outlets and USB outlets installed. Very big difference between an RV with 30 amp service and an RV with 50 amp service.
We live in an rv with 30 amps. We have to turn off the air conditioner (20 amps) before turning on the hot water heater (15 amps). To fix it, I took the hot water heater out of the rv electrical system and put it on a dedicated circuit that you plug into the 20 amp plug that is usually on the power pedestal using an appliance extension cord.
I bought a Progressive Industries surge guard that shows the actual load on the display. When my a/c is on, it shows about 15A being used if nothing else is on. If the Hot water tank on electrical to and heating, that used 12A. So then my display shows using 27-28A. So when using a/c i put the hot water tank on propane, so then when things like the microwave is used, or a kettle or toaster, it doesnt trip
I found out the hard way not to run too many things. The trick now is to get my wife to understand that we can't run the ac, tv, and microwave at the same time. It can be a pain but it's easy once you get the hang of it.
The campground has a 50 A service panel and I have a 30 A camper. What I want to know is if I can split it at the panel with a 'Y' cord, 50A male to 30A (female) and a standard 110 (female), thus having a separate power source for an additional appliance. Can the power by split like that thus allowing me to have more power??
I also watched Mark's video about 30 amps versus 50 amps. In that video he stated that using a 30-50 amp converter does not mean you are using more than 30 amps. Based on what I learned in this video, I infer that is because of the individual amperage on the breakers in the RV itself. SO- here is the Q- If the RV is plugged into a 30-50 amp converter- can you use higher watts on a continuous basis? It seems logical that the 50 amp power source will carry the individual breakers longer. Or, am I just really confused still?
If at home I have a 50 amp and use an adapter to use a 30 amp cord to either my 30 amp or 50 amp rv will I still have 30 amp service in the rv or should I install a 50 amp and a 30 amp receptacle ?
After reading several comments below I'm still not clear if I can plug my 30 amp cord into the outlet my dryer is plugged into or not. Any advice would be appreciated thanks
remember things like AC units have a start surge of amps. also every RV should have a AC voltmeter measured inside. as voltage drops some appliance draw more amps. and 50 amp RV is 240V 2 legs of 120V 50 amps.
Ok so that was very helpful for me as im new to RV living.. I live in a park in my 5th wheel full time. Im plugged into the parks electric box to the 30 amp.. My breakers inside the RV have NEVER tripped from overuse only the breaker outside .. I have to run my AC all day during this heat wave in California or its like sitting in a tuna can. Hot in minutes. Unbearable. I do not use anything while AC is going.. No lights no tv no microwave. In fact i keep everything unplugged except fridge and microwave because I cannot unplug them nor do i want too .. But at any given time or day the 30 amp breaker outside trips multiple times in a row and it's very hard to get it back on .. The breaker switch seems weak no resistance going up and down .. So im lost. Everything is brand new the fuses the breakers and even the RV 30 amp plug .. All new everything in my 5th wheel works except 1 light fixture so it's just not bothered with. Im going to change the parks breaker because they just have ignored my pleas. It's the only other thing i can do to keep it from tripping 5+ times in a row. It makes no sense to me i have no where to go to escape the heat and i cant just bring my cat wherever I want and she isnt staying here to die of heat exhaustion... So does anyone have any clue what else I should be looking at.. Also my AC is a 2007 Coleman Mach 13,000 BTU's and it works just fine blows cold no issues..
If you are absolutely sure you are not overloading the campground 30 amp breaker, the first step is to get a licensed electrician to inspect the campground breaker and wiring. It could be as simple as a worn out breaker, or a more complicated wiring issue.
I have a 30 amp, in Florida I could run ac, induction on 1200 and rice cooker plugged in the same outlet, no problems. I get to Arizona and I can run the ac no problem. I try to run my induction and rice cooker, flips breaker. I run induction at 1200 and the ac, it flips the breaker. It has even flipped the breaker with ac and 700 w. Microwave. What gives?
i got one for you..my 99 chieftain 35c is a 30 amp rig..but it has a onan 7000 marquis..the watts/voltage formula gives me 63 amp @110 volts..or 58 @120 volts..no one has a clue why its in there.. :/
All you accomplish by using a 30 to 50 amp pigtail is the capability to plug into a different electrical source at the campground. Your RV is still a 30 amp electrical system. You would need a 50 amp RV electrical system to benefit from a 50 amp service at the campground.
So i trying to hook up my 32ft 30amp 5th wheel camper to live in..my house is condemned..the closest i could put the 32ft camper to my electric pole is around 200ft..im no genius..but even i know i cant run two 100 ft extension cords together..even though im doing it..im only running a couple lights and a newer tv once in awhile..anyway..im living on a very little fixxed income..so i cant afford an electrician or the power company to put me a pole down by my camper..ive worked construction all my life..havent done too much electrical..but i know how and understand the importance of doing things proper..i just need to know what the proper way to hook it up my self..with as little cost as possible and to b safe and be able to use my frdge and stove and heater and or ac all at once if i wanted...can someone plz help..ty
I must be the odd one out, I never worry about electrical usage. If I think I am using too much, I turn something off. At a camp ground I also run an extension cord (12 gauge wire) from the 20 amp to run things like electric cookware outside.
Maybe you can explain the split 50amp breaker. It seems that both sides of the breaker are 120v, not 240v. It looks like a 240v breaker but it's not. Yes, I know plugging in 240v will fry everything. But the breaker appears to be a split 50amp. I'm looking to add power to the Toy Hauler section as it does not have enough to run my tools. This trailer isn't wired like a house. For one, the breakers and wiring are too small.
Hi Brad, I am planning a follow-up video on 50 amps. Basically a 50 amp RV service is a 120/240 split phase service. It has two 50 amp 120 volt hot wires, a neutral wire and a ground wire. The two hot wires supply two separate 50 amp 120 volt lines to the RV's power distribution box and the electrical load is balanced between the two 50 amp lines. That is why the gauges of wire is smaller than what is typically found in a house.
Brad, the reason the 50 amp breaker looks like a 240 volt breaker is because it is. All 240 volt breakers have 120 volts available on each leg. Just like your main breaker at home, each leg feeds half the panel box.
Is it just me or is this gentleman very skilled at explaining things in a clear, concise manner? Not just RV enthusiasts, but UA-camrs the world over would benefit from watching this video. I tip my hat to you, sir
Many babble for 20 minutes or more and never get to he succinct, useful points that you conveyed. Well done.
Thank you so much! I've been looking for a simple explanation of electrical systems like this for ages and people always make it so freakin' complicated. This is the first and only time I've ever seen this topic explained in simple and easy-to-follow terms. Now if only I can find something this well-crafted to help me understand my solar panels and battery bank...
I know it’s not a terribly difficult topic but his explanation of the breakdown help me really understand
You sir, explained this the best I've seen. This is a very clear and easy explanation for this new RV owner.
Thank you.
Best tutorial ever. Now everything makes sense.
I wish I’d had you teaching me electronic principles in tech school back in 82 at Chanute AFB. Your explanation was a lot simpler that the MSgt I had. LOL GREAT VIDEO!
Best intro I have seen yet! Thankyou, well done!
Nicely done. Clear and precise, well narrated, and with plenty of visual examples of what you're talking about. Excellent video.
Great explanation for the electrical use in an RV. Should be required viewing for everyone.
This explains so incredibly much but so incredibly simple. I've known a lot of this stuff all my life but never tied it together like this until just now. Awesome.
This is why we utilize the 110 plugs on the box by running extension cords under the camper to run a coffee maker outside, outdoor lights, and sometimes the tv outside or charging phones. This helps us run the 15k a/c, 2 refrigerators, electric water heater, etc and not worry about tripping our 30amp. Some day, I may add a 2nd a/c unit and adapt it to use the 110.
Thanks for this. I have posted this video on my trailer forum. Great advice and you explain it in a way that is very easy to understand.
Thank you. This was a good video for someone who knows absolutely nothing about electricity.
Yeah, yeah, I know all this... BUT, a good, clear reminder now and then is a fantastic idea. Great job, clear, and concise. THANKS!
Simply delivered and extremely helpful!
Wow, that was really helpful. Thank you for breaking it down with examples
Something that can really help out also if you need more amps is plug the refrigerator directly into the 15 amp outlet but use a thick extension cord. The refrigerator is often overlooked and consumes quite a bit of electricity because it is an electric element unless utilizing the LP mode
Thank you very much for making this excellent and well informative video!! You answered everything I needed to know about why my circuit breakers keep tripping. It looks like my home stereo system in my RV has to go. My neighbors will thank you also.
Very good video Mark. I would bet a lot of conscientious RV owners would love to have a more indepth dvd of how to calculate loads, what they can do to fix something and when to call a qualified RV electrician .
Great information. Always good to know this critical information. It can get really confusing.
This is the most useful lesson yet. Bring on Sewer Hose Part 2.
One of the best tutorials ever. Thanks!
Yup, I been learnt, and my cat, too.
Thanks for making this so easy to understand! 👍🏼
Beautiful :-)) so crystal clear . I've tried to read a lot of books about Electricals . This is the first time I understood it ...Lol..... thank you sir :-))
Glad it was helpful!
This was a lifesaver! Literally!!
Wow, I did not know all that. I thought a 50AMP RV was a 240V system and that the electrical box in the RV "stepped it down" to 120V for the stuff in the coach. Really, it is not 240V, it is two 120V systems. Really, it is not 50 AMP, it is 100 AMP, just 50 AMP per leg. I do not know when that will be useful knowledge, but I am still sure glad I know it now! My coach is small, and is a 30AMP, but now I understand how that works. Thanks! Very informative.
You will get a reading of 240 volts if you measure across the two hot legs at the receptacle, but it is two separate 50 amp 120 volt hot legs that power the RV.
Thank you for making a tough topic, easy for me to understand.
This was an excellent tutorial and was easy for me to understand. It's extremely helpful as my wife and I get ready to embark on our maiden RV voyage. Thanks
Tremendous presentation!!!! Thank you Dick Wells
Good day, Mark. You "done did it" again! Excellent! Thank you!
Well done. It's easy to see how you can overload the circuits with only 30 amps when they count on you not maximizing it. I would prefer some kind of automatic warnings. Most likely some RV manufacturers play the electrical closer to the wire, literally.
Great video and explanation!
Thank you! We are new camper trailer owners and this is very helpful!
Excellent Video and Information, Thanks!!
Well done and understandable! Thanks, for the info! Rick ! Enjoyed it!
Great explanation of the relationships.
Thanks for this video, was very helpful!
Great explanation!🎉
I learned all this, eventually, but I wish I had seen this first!
Great video, very informative. Saw a similar video on YT a few years ago and had my RV's electrical service upgraded to 50 amps and had a few more electrical outlets and USB outlets installed.
Very big difference between an RV with 30 amp service and an RV with 50 amp service.
How much was the upgrade if you don't mind me asking?
We live in an rv with 30 amps. We have to turn off the air conditioner (20 amps) before turning on the hot water heater (15 amps). To fix it, I took the hot water heater out of the rv electrical system and put it on a dedicated circuit that you plug into the 20 amp plug that is usually on the power pedestal using an appliance extension cord.
Very informative and thank you...
Thanks, great description.
Thank for the best tutorial!
You're welcome!
I bought a Progressive Industries surge guard that shows the actual load on the display. When my a/c is on, it shows about 15A being used if nothing else is on. If the Hot water tank on electrical to and heating, that used 12A. So then my display shows using 27-28A. So when using a/c i put the hot water tank on propane, so then when things like the microwave is used, or a kettle or toaster, it doesnt trip
Thank you so much for posting this. I am just getting started educating myself on RVing.
Good explanation, right on the money.
Thanks you for that’s informative it was very helpful
Glad it was helpful!
This is very educational
Great info , presented concisely
I found out the hard way not to run too many things. The trick now is to get my wife to understand that we can't run the ac, tv, and microwave at the same time. It can be a pain but it's easy once you get the hang of it.
Very good explanation! Thank you very much.
Excellent basics!
I'd like to enjoy a glass of scotch with this guy and talk about the wonderful world of electricity!
Thank you. Very informative.
Mike your awesome man.
VG. I would imagine the the 30 amp system would get aggravating if you run the AC continuously.
I'm wondering how much extra a 50-amp-er would cost.
The campground has a 50 A service panel and I have a 30 A camper. What I want to know is if I can split it at the panel with a 'Y' cord, 50A male to 30A (female) and a standard 110 (female), thus having a separate power source for an additional appliance. Can the power by split like that thus allowing me to have more power??
I also watched Mark's video about 30 amps versus 50 amps. In that video he stated that using a 30-50 amp converter does not mean you are using more than 30 amps. Based on what I learned in this video, I infer that is because of the individual amperage on the breakers in the RV itself. SO- here is the Q- If the RV is plugged into a 30-50 amp converter- can you use higher watts on a continuous basis? It seems logical that the 50 amp power source will carry the individual breakers longer. Or, am I just really confused still?
great info.... I will definitely try to remember it...
Great video. This helps a lot. Now to also figure out 2000 w inverter and 400 solar panels lol
Outstanding video! Saved for future reference!
If at home I have a 50 amp and use an adapter to use a 30 amp cord to either my 30 amp or 50 amp rv will I still have 30 amp service in the rv or should I install a 50 amp and a 30 amp receptacle ?
After reading several comments below I'm still not clear if I can plug my 30 amp cord into the outlet my dryer is plugged into or not. Any advice would be appreciated thanks
Is there anything you can do to use more than one appliance
Great Video, thank you.
my titan is equipped with 220 also and a built in generator
Great info! Thanks
You are welcome
remember things like AC units have a start surge of amps. also every RV should have a AC voltmeter measured inside. as voltage drops some appliance draw more amps. and 50 amp RV is 240V 2 legs of 120V 50 amps.
Very educational
Ok so that was very helpful for me as im new to RV living.. I live in a park in my 5th wheel full time. Im plugged into the parks electric box to the 30 amp.. My breakers inside the RV have NEVER tripped from overuse only the breaker outside .. I have to run my AC all day during this heat wave in California or its like sitting in a tuna can. Hot in minutes. Unbearable. I do not use anything while AC is going.. No lights no tv no microwave. In fact i keep everything unplugged except fridge and microwave because I cannot unplug them nor do i want too .. But at any given time or day the 30 amp breaker outside trips multiple times in a row and it's very hard to get it back on .. The breaker switch seems weak no resistance going up and down .. So im lost. Everything is brand new the fuses the breakers and even the RV 30 amp plug .. All new everything in my 5th wheel works except 1 light fixture so it's just not bothered with. Im going to change the parks breaker because they just have ignored my pleas. It's the only other thing i can do to keep it from tripping 5+ times in a row. It makes no sense to me i have no where to go to escape the heat and i cant just bring my cat wherever I want and she isnt staying here to die of heat exhaustion... So does anyone have any clue what else I should be looking at.. Also my AC is a 2007 Coleman Mach 13,000 BTU's and it works just fine blows cold no issues..
If you are absolutely sure you are not overloading the campground 30 amp breaker, the first step is to get a licensed electrician to inspect the campground breaker and wiring. It could be as simple as a worn out breaker, or a more complicated wiring issue.
I have an old camper and it doesn't have the round one you are showing mine are all the same
I have a 30 amp, in Florida I could run ac, induction on 1200 and rice cooker plugged in the same outlet, no problems. I get to Arizona and I can run the ac no problem. I try to run my induction and rice cooker, flips breaker. I run induction at 1200 and the ac, it flips the breaker. It has even flipped the breaker with ac and 700 w. Microwave. What gives?
Thanks for the Info!!! U da man.
i got one for you..my 99 chieftain 35c is a 30 amp rig..but it has a onan 7000 marquis..the watts/voltage formula gives me 63 amp @110 volts..or 58 @120 volts..no one has a clue why its in there.. :/
I read somewhere to use the pigtail and go from 30amp to 50amp. I am not currently doing this. But is this good or bad?
All you accomplish by using a 30 to 50 amp pigtail is the capability to plug
into a different electrical source at the campground. Your RV is still a 30 amp
electrical system. You would need a 50 amp RV electrical system to benefit from
a 50 amp service at the campground.
Thanks!
well explained!!
only one time my circuit breaker tripped cause iwas working on the electricasl part of the built in refrigutar
Good Stuff, Thank you!
So i trying to hook up my 32ft 30amp 5th wheel camper to live in..my house is condemned..the closest i could put the 32ft camper to my electric pole is around 200ft..im no genius..but even i know i cant run two 100 ft extension cords together..even though im doing it..im only running a couple lights and a newer tv once in awhile..anyway..im living on a very little fixxed income..so i cant afford an electrician or the power company to put me a pole down by my camper..ive worked construction all my life..havent done too much electrical..but i know how and understand the importance of doing things proper..i just need to know what the proper way to hook it up my self..with as little cost as possible and to b safe and be able to use my frdge and stove and heater and or ac all at once if i wanted...can someone plz help..ty
good info did not know that
i also have another one a 1978 smaller one i also have a half ton truck camper and a 73 tow behind camper called a tag along
I must be the odd one out, I never worry about electrical usage. If I think I am using too much, I turn something off. At a camp ground I also run an extension cord (12 gauge wire) from the 20 amp to run things like electric cookware outside.
I thought you could just plug an extension cord into your RV and run all your stuff. does that exist?
Well we know that there is more types of outlets than meets the eye
What about a camper we have a tow behind camper
thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
my power source is a extension cord from wally world amp rating 10
Maybe you can explain the split 50amp breaker. It seems that both sides of the breaker are 120v, not 240v. It looks like a 240v breaker but it's not. Yes, I know plugging in 240v will fry everything. But the breaker appears to be a split 50amp. I'm looking to add power to the Toy Hauler section as it does not have enough to run my tools. This trailer isn't wired like a house. For one, the breakers and wiring are too small.
Hi Brad, I am planning a follow-up video on 50 amps. Basically a 50 amp RV service is a 120/240 split phase service. It has two 50 amp 120 volt hot wires, a neutral wire and a ground wire. The two hot wires supply two separate 50 amp 120 volt lines to the RV's power distribution box and the electrical load is balanced between the two 50 amp lines. That is why the gauges of wire is smaller than what is typically found in a house.
Brad, the reason the 50 amp breaker looks like a 240 volt breaker is because it is. All 240 volt breakers have 120 volts available on each leg. Just like your main breaker at home, each leg feeds half the panel box.
im living inside of a 1978 titan rv
know why?
I try to tell people that they only need 60 amps 480 volt three phase for their home. More current more danger!
OHMS LAW
Arrrrgghhhhhh......I still do not understand it. I need the dummy coarse.
He lost me at volts. I’m dumb.😩👍🏼☮️
Or will it fry my RV?
Great info. Thank you